Charge laid after dozens attend church in Dresden: police

Chatham-Kent police say a charge has been laid after dozens of people attended a church service in Dresden.

Officers responded to a report of a gathering atOld Colony Mennonite Church on Grove Mills Line on Sunday, the police service said in a media release on Thursday.

According to police, there were 56 cars in the lot, and more arriving when the officer arrived. After the service, around 73 people were spotted leaving the church, none of whom were wearing masks.

Under the current provincial shutdown and stay-at-home order, religious gatherings have a limit of 10 people.

Under the act, the minimum fine for hosting a gathering that violates capacity limitsis$10,000. The maximum penalty is $100,000 and a year in jail.

On Wednesday,a 38-year-old Dresden man who is a church member was charged with failing to comply with a continued orderunder the the Reopening Ontario Act, police said.

Last week, a man was charged following a gathering at Old Colony Mennonite Church in Wheatley.